Some mistakes had disastrous consequences
Scattered across Georgia are ruins of tower houses built as defensive structures and known as Svanetian towers.
See also: The 25 most stunning skylines in the world.
A whimsical example of Portugal's unique Manueline architectural style, this limestone bastion was built around 1514 during the so-called Age of Discovery. It's a protected World Heritage Site.
Located north of the old town of Dali are these three pagodas, a trio of tiered towers made of brick and covered with white mud. Dating back to around 823-840 CE, the elegant structures are among the tallest pagodas in China.
Resembling a slender oversized dart, Dubai's Burj Khalifa is the tallest structure in the world, an incredible 2,722 ft (829 m) in total.
Perched on the summit of Namsan Mountain in central Seoul, this communication and observation tower marks the second highest point in the city, with outstanding panorama views to match.
The form, volume, and structure of this 1,982-ft (604-m) tall multi-purpose observation tower in Guangzhou is formed by two rotating ellipses.
Perched on top of Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, Coit Tower, which dates back to 1933, affords impressive Bay Area views from its observation deck.
Toronto's 1,815-ft (553-m) high concrete communications and observation tower has been piercing the city's skyline since 1976.
Completed in 1994, this is one of Shanghai's most distinctive landmarks. It features 11 spheres.
Inaugurated in 2004 and constructed in the postmodernist architectural style, Taipei 101 is named after the number of floors housed within its characteristic blue-green glass, curtain-walled facade.
The Palace of Westminster is one of London's most cherished buildings, and its bell tower (often erroneously referred to as Big Ben but, in fact, called the Elizabeth Tower) is one of the city's most photographed structures.
Symbolically, New York City's One World Trade Center stands 1,776 ft (541 m) tall—1776 signifying the year the Declaration of Independence was signed.
Glendalough in County Wicklow is home to this fine example of an early medieval round tower.
Standing on Broadway Hill in Worcestershire is this 65-ft (20-m) tower known as a folly. Completed in 1799, it is today a well-known tourist attraction.
Also known as the Tower of Victory and Peace, this is the centerpiece of Ottawa's Canadian parliament buildings. The tower reaches 302 ft (92 m) in height.
Set in the heart of Copenhagen, the Round Tower was built as an astronomical observatory in the 17th century.
Designed by Italian architect Nicolau Nasoni, this is the bell tower of the 18th-century Clérigos church. The tower is a cherished symbol of the city of Porto.
Dating back to the 4th century CE, this ornamented granite obelisk, or stele, stands 79-ft (24-m) tall and marks an underground burial chamber.
French architect Jean Nouvel designed Barcelona's Torre Glòries, which is especially visually dramatic when illuminated at night.
An excellent example of Vainakh tower architecture, this ruined medieval settlement features a number of well-preserved structures characterized by square foundations, tapering walls, and pyramidal roofs.
One of three remaining standpipe water towers in St. Louis, Missouri, Compton Hill Water Tower is also one of only seven surviving standpipe water towers in the entire United States. It's a national historic landmark.
Towers serve all sorts of purposes. Whether built for defensive reasons, religious services, or as a means of telecommunication, these unique structures rank among some of the most impressive architecture ever conceived. Technically, towers are distinguished from "buildings" in that they are not constructed to be habitable but to serve other functions. However, this list includes examples of skyscrapers that are considered multi-functional.
Browse this gallery and journey into the clouds with this overview of historic and iconic towers from around the world.
Historic and iconic towers from around the world
These lofty structures take architecture to new heights
TRAVEL Architecture
Towers serve all sorts of purposes. Whether built for defensive reasons, religious services, or as a means of telecommunication, these unique structures rank among some of the most impressive architecture ever conceived. Technically, towers are distinguished from "buildings" in that they are not constructed to be habitable but to serve other functions. However, this list includes examples of skyscrapers that are considered multi-functional.
Browse this gallery and journey into the clouds with this overview of historic and iconic towers from around the world.